Replacement for Puchacz
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Although Carsten Wehlmann, Holstein Kiel’s sports director, ruled out a departure from the previous transfer strategy in the fight to stay in the league in November, the storks have introduced a new record signing with the signing of John Tolkin. According to TM information, the 22-year-old left-back comes from the New York Red Bulls for 2.5 million euros.
Tolkin was trained in the Red Bulls’ youth ranks and made his first team debut in MLS at the age of 18. In his 135 games for Leipzig’s sister club, he showed his offensive drive, scoring nine goals and preparing 20 more. The four-time US international has been one of the best left-backs in MLS over the past two seasons. In the playoffs, Tolkin was one of the main players as the Red Bulls surprisingly reached the final, where they narrowly lost to LA Galaxy (1:2).
In the latest MLS update, Tolkin confirmed his market value of 4 million euros, making him the highest valued Kieler and replacing Armin Gigovic (22) and Shuto Machino (25, 3 million euros each) at the top. Gigovic was listed on Transfermarkt as the most expensive new signing in Kiel’s history with a transfer fee of 1.8 million euros – but the situation is confusing. Like his midfield colleague Magnus Knudsen (23), the Bosnian came from FK Rostov in Russia. The “Kiel News“ had reported after the end of the transfer window that Gigovic had not cost a transfer fee and that he had suspended his contract in Rostov for one year in accordance with FIFA regulations that have been in force since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This would have expired in 2025 and he could then sign a follow-up contract free of charge, which has already been negotiated with Kiel. At the time, the transfer market in Russia confirmed the permanent transfer with a transfer fee.
After David Zec (24), who came from Slovenia from NK Celje, Tolkin is the Storks’ second winter signing. Expenses this season will rise to just over 6 million euros, overtaking Conference League participant Heidenheim in this category. KSV coach Marcel Rapp usually has a three-man chain and rail players. The summer signing Tymoteusz Puchacz (25), who was intended for the left side and was unable to assert himself, recently moved to Plymouth on loan.